Pump Storage Plants: The way ahead for Energy Storage in India

Pump storage plants can be an effective solution for energy storage in India, especially as the country aims to increase its share of renewable energy in its energy mix. These types of plants can help balance the grid, provide backup power during times of high demand, and reduce the need for fossil-fuel-based peaker plants.

Pump storage plants work by using excess energy from the grid during times of low demand to pump water from a lower reservoir to a higher one. When energy is needed during times of high demand, the water is released from the higher reservoir to generate electricity as it flows through turbines. This process can be repeated as many times as necessary to provide a reliable source of energy storage.

India has already made significant progress in building pump storage plants, with several projects currently in operation or under construction. For example, the Srisailam Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Plant in Telangana has a capacity of 1,670 MW, while the Tehri Pumped Storage Plant in Uttarakhand has a capacity of 1,000 MW.

In addition to these existing plants, India has plans to build several more pump storage projects in the coming years. For example, the 900 MW Purulia Pumped Storage Project in West Bengal is currently under construction, and the 1,200 MW Gurmitkal Pumped Storage Project in Karnataka is in the planning stages.

While there are challenges to implementing pump storage projects, such as finding suitable sites, managing environmental concerns, and financing the projects, they can be a promising solution for energy storage in India. By providing a reliable source of energy storage, pump storage plants can help the country meet its renewable energy goals, reduce its carbon emissions, and ensure a more stable and resilient energy grid.